According to recent estimates from Johns Hopkins University, millennial and Gen Z employees constitute nearly half of today’s workforce. Many who fall into one of these two generational categories have found that workplace values have shifted drastically in the last few years.
While young workers do value pay, professional development, and advancement opportunities, the vast majority consider a sense of purpose to be central to job satisfaction. While each employee will have a different idea of what constitutes “purpose,” many want to feel that their work matters and makes a positive difference in the world.
Here’s why those who want to build highly engaged and high-performing workforces must ensure employees can find their “why” and powerful tips to help today’s employers accomplish this goal.
Why Purpose Is So Important in Today’s Workplace
Data from a recent Deloitte survey indicate that 92% of millennials and 89% of Gen Z employees consider a sense of purpose to be an important factor in job satisfaction. Over 40% of those in these two generational categories believe that their primary job is central to their identity. It makes sense that they would want to find meaning and purpose in something they see as a crucial part of their makeup.
Additionally, 40% of millennials say their mental health is negatively impacted when they don’t have meaningful work. Still, purpose-driven work isn’t just critical for employees’ personal well-being. It’s also essential for company success.
According to Gallup, 50% of employees who have a strong sense of purpose at work are also highly engaged at work. They’re much less likely to experience burnout or be actively seeking another job, which means helping employees find their “why” can increase productivity and decrease costly turnover.
Ensuring your employees are working with a sense of purpose can also create the right environment for innovation, as those who believe their work has meaning may be more motivated to seek out creative solutions.
Tips for Fueling a Sense of Purpose in Your Workforce
While helping your workforce develop a sense of purpose is important, it isn’t always easy. Here are a few ways you can inspire your employees and ensure they know that their work truly matters.
Clearly Define Your Mission
It can be challenging for your employees to find meaning in their work if they aren’t really sure what they’re working toward. Make sure that you’ve developed a clear, authentic, and actionable mission and have communicated it to all employees so they feel motivated to come to work each day.
Hire for Passion and Purpose
When evaluating employees for a role, take time to look for evidence that they are passionate about what they do. Advertise your mission in job ads and ask candidates what makes them want to work for your company.
Use behavioral interview questions focused on why candidates are attracted to the field and how well they align with your company culture, mission, and values.
Connect Work to Impact
Many employees move through their day completing tasks without understanding what impact their work has on the organization or on the world at large. Make sure your managers are helping employees see how each individual task or project will contribute to broader company goals and societal well-being, as this can play a significant role in making work meaningful for them.
Invest in Growth
Employees who feel stagnant in their careers may struggle to see any meaning in doing the same job year in and year out. Consider how you can invest in your employees’ growth by offering learning and skill development. Fuel their sense of passion with regular career path conversations to remind them that there are opportunities to advance.
Foster Employee Autonomy
Empower your employees by allowing them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Not only can this boost engagement among your workforce, but it can also spark creativity and give your employees a chance to make work personally meaningful.
Purpose Is Central to Your Employees’ Satisfaction and Well-Being
Though today’s employees want to be well-compensated, it’s crucial that they are also able to find meaning in what they do. Not only does this help them become enthusiastic and highly-engaged employees, but it also fuels a sense of pride and personal well-being.
Though fostering purpose requires a bit of work, it can certainly pay off for those looking to build a high-performing workforce that moves the organization forward and helps achieve the mission and goals.
